Through the organization known fondly as "NiŅos," many expatriates contribute time, talent, energy and money to help children who might otherwise go without the medical care that can prolong and enrich their lives and the lives of their families

NiŅos invites you to read this, our first newsletter, written and published by volunteers, so that you can learn what we are doing to help our Mexican neighbors. Perhaps the NiŅos’ story will encourage you to join us in contributing to the lives of these young people. Read on and see that here you can make a difference!

MONICA

Since it began, NiŅos Incapacitados has grown continuously. Each year it helps more and more children and young people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, meningitis, and types of birth defects. In addition to providing braces, wheelchairs,

walkers, crutches, prostheses and other equipment, the organization pays for medications, x-rays and diagnostic tests and coordinates consultations with specialists. Volunteers are kept busy providing the necessary transportation and visits to the children in hospitals and in their homes.

As a disabled child grows, shoes and braces must be changed. Corrective surgeries are done when the child reaches appropriate states of physical development. Kidney dialysis and treatment for leukemia, pulmonary disease, orthopedic problems, and facial deformities are expensive and ongoing. In March of this year alone, NiŅos Incapacitados spent more than 32,000 pesos to help children in the Lakeside area, money that came from donations and fund-raising events sponsored by our members.

Enrique, 11 mos. – When he is 3 years old, NiŅos will support surgery to correct his vision.

A support group was established in the fall of 1998 and meets regularly on the last Saturday of each month at DIF in Chapala from 5 to 6 PM. Each month there are between fifteen and twenty parents who attend. The meeting gives them a chance to be together, to hear speakers discuss topics of interest, to talk about common issues and to ask questions about concerns that they have.

NiŅos provides representatives to the group to support the parents who attend, to note needs of new parents who come, to provide bus fare for parents who might not otherwise be able to attend, and to provide refreshments after the meetings.

This is an important and valuable support group and we are proud that NiŅos recognized the need and continues to be involved. It is a way for the parents to know that they are not totally alone with the difficulties they have in caring for their special children.

In my life in the U.S., I considered myself a "charitable" person, having given money to charitable organizations, some of which had sizable administrative costs. I gave, hoping that the money would do some good. It was "distance giving!" Here, at the NiŅos meeting, I was hearing about very personal contact with the children being helped. I was intrigued!

All of the people who work with NiŅos Incapacitados are volunteers. There are no "administrative" costs. I heard of families who asked NiŅos for help with a disabled child. I heard how NiŅos volunteers took children for tests and consultations. I heard about children who received life-saving medication through the help of NiŅos.

At this meeting Patty Diaz, a little eight-year-old came to share her experiences. NiŅos had given money to facilitate a life-saving heart operation for her. Her mother’s words, through the translator, expressed her gratitude to the members for the help they had provided.  I felt a little left out of the happy occasion.

Patty (left)

I had become a resident of Ajijic this year and I wished that I had been able to contribute to this particular child’s success. Of course, I quickly realized that there are many children with disabling conditions, and in the future I could participate in many of their success stories. I was hooked! I became a member and am looking forward to working with the children. This is an opportunity to receive even more in satisfaction than one gives in either time or money. It is a most worthy cause with great results that can be seen!

I could see joy in their faces, as well as tears in their eyes, of the NiŅos members as they listened to Patty's mother and looked at Patty, a charming, shyly smiling, eight-year-old who was now alive. This was living proof that this organization works!

-- Charles J. Vander Kolk

Current Wish List – Can you help?

Donations are needed for:

(approximately 9.4 pesos = $1. US);
(All contributions are tax deductible in the U.S. & Mexico)

• transport children and their families to therapy sessions, doctor and hospital visits
• assist with fund raising and social events
• call people about upcoming meetings
• assist at the parent support group once a month

Pesos Aid To Children 1995-1999 300,000 $267,979 250,000 n 200,000 n 150,000 $102,137 n 100,000 $76.670 n n 75,000 $50,377 n n n 50,000 $25,456 n n n n 25,000 n n n n n 0 n n n n n n ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ‘99

GRANT WRITING

Requests for assistance from families with children who need medical intervention grow each month. Thus, we must extend our fund raising efforts beyond lakeside, so a grant-writing committee has been formed. Our goal is to organize efforts to receive funding from other sources.

Your help is needed in identifying:

• People in major corporations you may know whom we can contact;
• People in school districts or private schools who might be willing to assist us through programs in conjunction with their students;
• People in churches or synagogues who might be interested in helping our children through their outreach programs.

If you can supply any names to help our efforts, please contact us at the locations listed below.